Dental Sleep Medicine: Sleep Principles and Oral Appliances
Dental Sleep Medicine: Sleep Principles and Oral Appliances is organized by Dentaltown, L.L.C.
Released: 7/15/2015
Review Date: 6/30/2022
Expiration Date: 6/30/2025
Overview:
This course includes not only a review of the first course (Introducing Dental Sleep Medicine into Your Practice), but a more in depth examination of sleep medicine and dentistry’s role in identifying patients, helping them be diagnosed, and treating those who should be considered to receive oral appliance therapy. Much has been said about the dentist's "need" to diagnose sleep apnea and treat snoring. Despite the fact that it is a relatively "young" science, myths and exaggerations already abound regarding this critical subject. It is true that dentistry could and should be the number one portal for patients into sleep medicine. What steps SHOULD the general dentist take in order to help benefit his patients? What factors will help him make a decision as general dentist as to exactly how involved he should become in treatment. In this two hour presentation we will review the principles of sleep medicine, and the role of dentistry in treating snoring and other obstructive sleep disorders. This honest look at sleep medicine will concentrate on the challenges that face dentists incorporating dental sleep medicine in their practices.
Those viewing this presentation will begin to have a thorough understanding of dental sleep medicine and will be in a position to appropriately screen all their patients. As importantly they will have the needed information to make the informed decision as to whether or not they want to proceed to take the steps to incorporate oral appliance therapy in their offices and if so, what steps to take. The oral appliance review will help them select and insert appliances and monitor appliance use. They will have a realistic perspective on the possible untoward sides effects of appliance therapy on muscle and joints.
Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to achieve the following:
• Identify those patients who should be screened for OSA and screen them appropriately
• Properly test or refer for testing to have our patients properly diagnosed by sleep medicine
• Clearly elucidate dentistry's role in sleep medicine and understand how critically important that role can be.
• Explain all levels of sleep disturbed breathing to patients in understandable terms and give them realistic and valid information so that they can better make wise treatment decisions for themselves
• Conceptualize the role of oral appliance therapy
• Describe the various mechanisms of oral appliance therapy and select appropriate appliances for patients
• Make an intelligent decision as to what further education may be required to obtain in depth skills and understanding in sleep medicine
Note: The fee to view this course is $36. This cost includes the fee to take the exam and claim your CE credits.